Tension in Himachal’s Palampur as lawyer accuses SHO of slapping him, using caste slurs
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The Newz Radar
PALAMPUR: A tension involving lawyers and police has erupted in Palampur where lawyer Pinku Kumar has alleged that he was insulted with caste-related slurs and physically assaulted by Station House Officer (SHO) Surinder Thakur at the Palampur police station.
Speaking to the media at the Mini Secretariat here, Pinku Kumar recounted his ordeal, stating that he had visited the Palampur police station to get a challan issued under the Motor Vehicles Act disposed of. However, he said he faced a delay due to server connectivity issues and was waiting outside the premises.
Pinku claimed that during the time an accused in some case who was in police custody asked him to facilitate a conversation between the latter’s lawyer through his mobile phone, which he did but only after seeking permission from a police official standing nearby.
Pinku claimed the conversation had just ended when Station House Officer Surinder Thakur arrived at the police station and lashed out at him. “Hearing our voice, another policeman came out and told the SHO that I am only a challan lawyer. He told me that leave aside my advocacy, I won’t even be allowed to graze goats. He insulted me with caste-based slurs. Both said my antecedents verified. The SHO then slapped me,” he said.
Pinku has demanded from the Palampur DSP to register an FIR against the SHO and the policeman who insulted and physically assaulted him and take strictest-possible action against them.
In contrast, SHO Surinder Thakur has denied the allegations levelled against him. He contended that Pinku was attempting to provide a mobile phone to the accused in the lock-up, prompting him to intervene. Surinder Thakur refuted using any caste-related language and denies any physical altercation.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Palampur, has yet to make an official statement regarding the allegations.
